The New York Yankees need to stack minor-league wins in the early going, especially after placing such a strong emphasis on pitching in last summer's draft that they almost tipped the entire operation on its side.
Last July, the Yankees' first seven picks were collegiate pitchers, as well as nine of their first 11. Some were college standouts. Some were underperformers. Some were relievers with starter traits. No matter the origin story, the desired result was clear: the Yankees wanted pitchers with impressive traits who could move fast if they hit.
Despite making every effort to thicken the ranks last summer, the Yankees started behind the eight ball again this spring, as top pitching prospect Chase Hampton and 2024 third-round pick Thatcher Hurd both underwent Tommy John surgery; 2024 Spring Breakout standout Brock Selvidge is also on the long-term minor-league IL.
That meant New York needed to see some early progress from their active '24 draftees. Otherwise, their pitching lab would be under the gun again at every level.
Thankfully ... big pause for effect and knocking on wood ... they've gotten what they've needed early from a number of recent additions. Ben Hess, 2024's top pick, whiffed nine men in 4 2/3 shutout innings to start his High-A career. Over the weekend, ex-University of Miami swingman Gage Ziehl, selected in the fourth round last summer, joined the party, recording a shutout debut of his own.
Good first start for Gage Ziehl:
4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 7 whiffs
Leaned on his cutter but mixed in a fastball and slider. His slider was the most effective.
Yankees pitching prospects Gage Ziehl, Griffin Herring join Ben Hess with ridiculous 2025 pro debuts
Slightly ahead of Ziehl, 2024 sixth-rounder Griffin Herring continued to look like someone who could step directly into Selvidge's shoes as well.
The left-hander completed his second start with Low-A Tampa over the weekend, piling up 14 whiffs and not allowing an earned run through 4 2/3 frames (while battling some skittish control).
That leaves his ERA, through 10 1/3 innings across two starts, at a workable 0.00. Yeah, that'll play.
Griffin Herring continued his strong start to the year:
4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 14 whiffs
We have REAL Statcast data for this one. He was predominantly slider/sinker with both being effective.
In relief, Sean Hermann, Chris Veach, and Tony Rossi shoved.
The Yankees are still a long way from making their pitching rich dreams come true, and the loss of Hampton will loom large over the season as a whole, given how far below the Triple-A level their next generation of arm talent remains.
Still, based on the pro debuts of every active member of the 2024 draft class, it seems the Yankees' vision wasn't so far off the map after all.
